gps watches

So I've been running for almost a year now and I just use my iPhone, Pandora and run keeper to do my daily miles (and dailymile.com too) but I see a lot of people using GPS watches when they run, either online or in person. What are your thoughts on these? What do people recommend for a less than $100?

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I have a Garmin Forerunner 10 and I *LOVE* it! I don't need or want a lot of extra features and this fits the bill. It tracks distance, time, pace and calories burned. It also lets you set a pace and alerts you if you get ahead or behind. You can sync it to your computer and it will show you the route that you ran, elevation changes and your pace.

Unfortunately, it is not under $100. DH bought it for me for my birthday and it was $120. Maybe you can find a coupon code or a sale price somewhere. I highly recommend it.

I have a Garmin Forerunner 10 and I *LOVE* it! I don't need or want a lot of extra features and this fits the bill. It tracks distance, time, pace and calories burned.

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How does it calculate calories? Does it have a HR monitor on it, or is it an estimate?

My Polar FT7 (just a HR monitor) has annoyed me, because it's one that you're supposed to be able to change the batteries, for, except that we cannot get the battery cover off. Not me, DH, nor the watch repair guy can budge that thing. I could buy a whole new set (exact same thing I have) for the same amount as I can buy the actual monitor that I'm trying to change the battery on. Grr.

But I'm eventually moving towards running on something other than a treadmill, so I've been thinking of a GPS watch with HR monitor (I don't mind a strap). I use calories burned to figure out my WW Activity Points, and since I eat those points it's important to know it's as accurate as it can be. : )

How does it calculate calories? Does it have a HR monitor on it, or is it an estimate?

My Polar FT7 (just a HR monitor) has annoyed me, because it's one that you're supposed to be able to change the batteries, for, except that we cannot get the battery cover off. Not me, DH, nor the watch repair guy can budge that thing. I could buy a whole new set (exact same thing I have) for the same amount as I can buy the actual monitor that I'm trying to change the battery on. Grr.

But I'm eventually moving towards running on something other than a treadmill, so I've been thinking of a GPS watch with HR monitor (I don't mind a strap). I use calories burned to figure out my WW Activity Points, and since I eat those points it's important to know it's as accurate as it can be. : )

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No heart rate monitor. When I set it up online, it asked for my height and weight. I think it is a rough calculation based on that and your pace. I also use MyFitnessPal and I have found that the calories burned are very similar to what the Garmin says.

No heart rate monitor. When I set it up online, it asked for my height and weight. I think it is a rough calculation based on that and your pace. I also use MyFitnessPal and I have found that the calories burned are very similar to what the Garmin says.

I have a Forerunner 405CX. I love it. I also think it's in the $100-$200 range. It does so much stuff that I haven't even learned it all in the past year. I recently started incorporating interval training in my routine and it helps out tremendously with that. It has all the basic features as well, tracking distance and speed, and it also has a HR monitor. At first I didn't think I would like the HR monitor, but now I realize it is a good training tool as well. I highly recommend it.

I have the Garmin Forerunner 210 with the heart rate monitor. I like it. I still use my iPhone for the Galloway program, but I like being able to see my pace and distance along with my heart rate at a glance.

I have the Garmin 410 and just love it. I got it on amazon for $139. I prior had a used Garmin 405, and notice only slight changes to the 410.

As an option, you could try that approach for your first Garmin - buy it used - but you risk not knowing exactly how long it will last, etc. In my case I bought it from a friend at a great bargain price, and with full disclosure that it might only last a couple of years. But it gave me an opportunity to acclimate to a Garmin, and determine which features I really liked before getting a brand new one.

I have a Forerunner 405CX. I love it. I also think it's in the $100-$200 range. It does so much stuff that I haven't even learned it all in the past year. I recently started incorporating interval training in my routine and it helps out tremendously with that. It has all the basic features as well, tracking distance and speed, and it also has a HR monitor. At first I didn't think I would like the HR monitor, but now I realize it is a good training tool as well. I highly recommend it.

I have a Garmin Forerunner 10 and I *LOVE* it! I don't need or want a lot of extra features and this fits the bill. It tracks distance, time, pace and calories burned. It also lets you set a pace and alerts you if you get ahead or behind. You can sync it to your computer and it will show you the route that you ran, elevation changes and your pace.

Unfortunately, it is not under $100. DH bought it for me for my birthday and it was $120. Maybe you can find a coupon code or a sale price somewhere. I highly recommend it.

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I completely agree. I love love love my Forerunner 10. It does all the things listed above and I have found it to be very very accurate on the pace and distance.

I know I'm a bit late and mine is a bit more but I LOVE my garmin 310xt... I got it with the heart rate monitor and the foot pod. I like the larger setup, I am a guy so dont mind the size of it. Some people would find it cumbersome. Love the customization I can do on it with the different screens. Plus I did like the idea of the longer battery life.

At heartratemonitors.com you can get 60 dollars off with code active110 on the Forerunner110 I saw on someone's Twitter today. No idea if this is a deal compared to Amazon prices,but thought Id mention it if it helps someone.